Local Community

National Community

COGS phone number

(319) 337-5074

Upcoming Events

General Membership Meeting: August 26, 5:00pm, COGS Office (Old Brick)

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See the Difference the Union has made for Grad Students...

Before UE-COGS
1995-1996		 With UE-COGS 1996-Present
Salaries  

Salaries for RAs and TAs at the University of Iowa ranked in the bottom half of the Big Ten

Salaries for RAs and TAs at the University of Iowa rank in the top half of the Big Ten

Tuition Scholarships  
Majority of graduate employees not granted a tuition scholarship for TA or RA work All TAs and RAs are guaranteed partial tuition scholarships. In 2010, full-time students will receive 100% tuition scholarships.
Health Insurance  

No preventive care
No dental plan
No prescription drug coverage
No mental health coverage
Employees paid the full cost of dependent insurance

Full preventive care - $0 per visit
Full dental plan
Full prescription drug coverage
Full mental health coverage
Employees only pay 30% of cost for dependent insurance
Workplace Rights  
No grievance procedure
No protection against overwork
No appointment posting and letters
No job security
No protected paid leave
Grievance procedure with binding arbitration 		Contract protections against overwork
Departments post appointments and give appointment letters by deadlines
Departments must honor initial promises of employment
Paid leaves including sick leave, family illness leave, bereavement leave, and jury duty

New Contract

COGS members recently ratified a new contract that goes into effect on July 1, 2009. More information on this contract can be found here. If you have any questions on the new contract, contact the COGS Office at 337-5074.

What is COGS?

UE Local 896/COGS represents approximately 2,500 Teaching and Research Assistants at the University of Iowa. We are a democratic, rank-and-file union, or, put more simply: The Members Run This Union!

Organized in 1996, the members of UE Local 896/COGS dedicate themselves to the fight for just salaries, benefits and working conditions for all Teaching and Research Assistants.

The University of Iowa Works Because We Do!

Do You Know Your Steward?

Stewards are the backbone of UE Local 896 - COGS, serving as the official union representative in departments around campus. All departments should have at least one union steward. Click here to see a list of the stewards that have been reported to the UE-COGS Office. If your department steward is not listed, please contact us at cogs@cogs.org. If you are interested in being a steward or in electing a steward for your department, contact one of the chief stewards at cogs@cogs.org.

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